Singapore, May 2.
British forces in the Far East have complete confidence in their ability fo defend Malaya and Singapore, Air Marshal Sir Robert. Brooke-Popham {old American correspondents interview today.
Sir Robert declared that a huge fare sweeping from Burma, around the Netherlands East Indies, to Autralia. must be considered one in-{egral part of the defence. He added, "We cannot separate these territories, "Anything that happens in any part of this area must affect the rest. If tone ig attacked, the other must come Sie Robert asserted, "An_ enemy from Indo-China or from Thailand could veer to the west. of Burma, and he might strike south of Malaya 'OF Singapore, or he mijfht attack the Netherlands East Indies. These are the possibilities which made these areas into a single whole."
Expressing confidence in the ability of the Dutch East Indies to defend herself, Sir Robert pointed out that the N.EJ. has a powerful sir force composed. of bomber and fighter units. "They most certainly would fight 1 attacked, and would put up fine show." Ho added that Malaya and Singapore were prepared to face the possibility of interrupted com. munitions, and if blockaded, would be able to' fall back on stores which have been safely protected against air Dutch Firm Talks
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.